Robert Barba is the technology editor of American Banker. Robert previously served as deputy editor of American Banker's dealmaking and strategy section. He joined American Banker in late 2007 as a community banking reporter, just in time for the financial crisis. Robert played a lead role in covering community banks' struggle for survival in the years following the downturn. Robert has appeared on Fox Business to discuss bank failures and the Treasury Department's Troubled Asset Relief Program. Prior to joining American Banker, Robert was a general business reporter at Scripps Treasure Coast Newspapers in Stuart, Fla. He began his career as a business desk intern at The Denver Post and Boulder Daily Camera. Robert is based in New York.
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A deal between two Massachusetts banks is expected to close ahead of schedule after the selling bank's shareholders approved it Tuesday.
July 23 -
Sixteen banks, along with John Eggemeyer and Tim Chrisman, raised $6.3 million to keep the Hispanic-focused bank from failing.
July 22 -
Bank of America executives downplayed expectations about commercial lending and warned about the dangers of lowering prices to build loan portfolios, while their counterparts at U.S. Bancorp reveled in double-digit growth in the category and pledged to stay aggressive.
July 16 -
Add JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon as a member of the league of extraordinarily optimistic bank executives, but a figure deep in his bank's quarterly report a high utilization rate for commercial lines of credit gives his predictions more credibility than his rivals'.
July 15 -
JPMorgan Chase Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon, recently diagnosed with throat cancer, told analysts that the Wall Street bank has an "exceptional group of executives" who could replace him someday but that that won't be happening any time soon.
July 15 -
A spike in smaller deals, along with improved premiums, is providing hope that buyers and sellers are finally coming together as industry experts forecast several years earlier.
July 10 -
The Maryland banker and former ICBA chair was a champion for changing how the FDIC assessed fees years before the Dodd-Frank Act altered the calculation. Other bankers recall Menzies' enthusiasm and zeal.
July 9 -
Opus Global, a $500 million fund started last fall to roll up financial technology businesses, has made its first acquisition, a risk and compliance software firm that serves banks.
July 8 -
Steele Street Bank & Trust decided to find a buyer when CEO Bob Malone realized the bank lacked the size to adequately court business in the Mile High City.
July 7 -
As interest rates rise and loans become more likely to stay on the books, more banks may show up on the buy side of the market for mortgage servicing rights
July 3 -
The Fed also hit Taylor with a cease-and-desist order and a $3.5 million civil money penalty for its ties to an financial aid firm. Still, industry observers were impressed that deal is still on track.
July 1 -
D.L. Evans Bancorp in Burley, Idaho, was the successful bidder for Idaho Banking in Boise following a bankruptcy auction.
June 30 -
Metro Bancorp, once an aspiring acquirer, is fielding complaints from a trio of investment firms that believe management is incapable of meaningfully improving the company's performance.
June 26 -
State Bank Financial is in no rush to extract costs from Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, preferring instead to take its time in an effort to retain the best employees and clients.
June 24 -
Great Southern in Missouri completed its fifth failed-bank deal on Friday. The company stated that the deal's strategic benefits outweigh the fact that it received a smaller upfront gain from its latest purchase.
June 23 -
The Oregon company is hopeful it will enjoy significant stock appreciation once investors realize the value of its acquisition of Home Federal in Idaho. Management hopes other potential sellers agree.
June 20 -
The company is suing Basswood Capital, claiming the activist hedge fund unlawfully accumulated a large stake by violating a confidentiality agreement. It also claims that Basswood's meddling resulted in a subpar capital raise last month.
June 19 -
Six directors resigned after the company contested an activist investor's successful effort to wrest board control. As a court battle looms and regulators watch, the company could struggle to find replacement directors.
June 18 -
Old National Bancorp CEO Bob Jones talks about how his bank has made employee retention a priority in acquisition deals after losing a lending team to rival First Financial Bancorp.
June 12 -
The Holding family has held large stakes in several banks for years; two of those banks are finally merging as part of a $637 million deal.
June 11
